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The home

Who are we?

Confidential
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Our mission

The Maison d’hébergement l’Aquarelle offers services to women who are victims of violence and going through difficult times. The mission of the Maison is to ensure the safety of these women and their children, as well as giving them support in their reflection and their process toward a life violence free.

Our objectives

  • Provide shelter to all women in need and, if the case, their children;
  • Help women in need by bringing moral support, offering caring ears as well as orientation service and reference toward local resources;
  • Offer a safe and temporary shelter to allow the woman (and her children) to clarify her situation;
  • Facilitate a life changing personal growth process with respect for the woman’s choices.

Our story

The Maison d’hébergement l’Aquarelle was founded in 1985, after receiving funding granted by the minister of Social Affairs.

In 1989, the organization took ownership of the St-Marcel presbytery, which they were renting up to then, with the help of a financial help program of the Société d’Habitation du Québec. During the next few years, the organization has done many renovations on the building with the objective to adapt it to its clientele’s needs.

In 1992, the organization joined the Fédération des Ressources d’hébergement pour femmes violentées et en difficulté du Québec. The Federation’s goal is to provide the necessary support to all the shelter home members to achieve their mandate. It has also the goal to represent and defend, facing political or public authorities, government bodies, para-public and private, the interests of the members and the women’s rights.

Our values

Some values which are at the heart of our mission.
Safety

The immediate safety of the women and the children at the shelter is a priority. We make sure that the different involved parties will participate through multiple actions.

Dignity

Respect women’s rights to avoid exclusion, discrimination and re-victimization.

Empowerment

To give back her power to the woman, because in a violent context, she was being controlled, unable to control her own life.

Egalitarian relationship

We connect to women respectfully for all that they are, treating them as equals.

Solidarity

This is the sense of belonging in a fight against violences toward women.

Social equity

Our intervention actions have the goal to create equity and respect for women and children’s rights.

The respect of everyone’s rhythm

We accompany women softly, without forcing her approach or her thinking process.

Respect for each one’s experience

Every woman has her own experience, and we adapt to each individually.

Alliance

The community workers create a trusting and respectful environment with the women by constantly being present with them.

Exterior house

Exterior house

Family room

Family room

Living room of a family room

Living room of a family room

Bathroom (family room)

Bathroom (family room)

Single room 1 of 2

Single room 1 of 2

Single room 2 of 2

Single room 2 of 2

Living room

Living room

Kitchen and dining room

Kitchen and dining room

Dining room and kitchen

Dining room and kitchen

Game room

Game room

Conference room (and group meeting) open at all times to women

Conference room (and group meeting) open at all times to women

Garden in the backyard (summer)

Garden in the backyard (summer)

Management team

Director
Administrative assistant
Clinical supervisor

Intervention team

Social workers for adults
Social worker for assistance and advertisement
Community worker responsible for the supervised apartments
Youth social worker

Support personnel

Night clerk and housekeeping
Cook